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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE December 9-15, 2009 Page A-7
The ABCs – and D – of Medicare
By Paul Bridgewater
Cost: How much are ist? If considering new phy- Convenience: Where are options. And while our leg-
your current premiums sicians, find out if they par- doctors’ offices located? What islators examine and debate
We learned our first ABCs
and deductibles? How ticipate in your new plan and are their office hours? Which changes in our health care
as children. Sixty years later,
much will you pay for hos- are accepting new patients. pharmacies are available and system, let’s all remember
we have to learn the ABCs —
pital stays or doctor visits? nearby? Do you know whom to our personal responsibility to
and D — of choosing a health
Prescription drugs: What call when you have questions? make the right choices for our
insurance plan.
Doctor and hospital are your prescription drug Will you be able to talk with own health and well-being.
Medicare’s annual election
choices: Does your current needs? Do you need to join a one person who understands
period began last month and
doctor accept the health care Medicare Advantage plan with your overall health needs?
Tune in to “The Senior Solu-
runs through Dec. 31. This
plan you are considering? If prescription drug coverage or
tion” on WGPR 107.5 FM every
is when people enrolled in or
considering a PPO (Preferred a stand-alone Medicare Part D Remember, you have until
Saturday morning at 10 a.m.,
eligible for Medicare have the
Provider Organization) or prescription drug plan? What Dec. 31 to select or make
hosted by Paul Bridgewater,
opportunity to re-evaluate
HMO (Health Maintenance Or- will your prescription drugs changes in your Medicare
president and CEO, Detroit
their health care options and
ganization) plan, would you be cost under each plan and does health insurance coverage.
Area Agency on Aging. The
sign up for or switch their
limited to choosing your hos- each plan provide coverage in Our MMAP counselors are
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
coverage for Medicare pre-
pital and health care providers the coverage gap? Are your available to help you at 800-
is located at 1333 Brewery
scription drug plans.
from a network? Would you drugs covered under the plan’s 803-7174, and they will make
Park Blvd., Suite 200, Detroit,
need a referral to see a special- formulary (drug list)? sure you understand your
MI 48207; (313) 446-4444;
With over 40 prescription
Paul Bridgewater
www.daaa1a.org.
drug plans to select from in
our region, the choices can be
overwhelming. Some people
may put too much empha-
sis on low premiums without
taking into account how much
they will actually pay out-of-
pocket. If the wrong plans are
selected, seniors may end up
spending more money than
they should. In these tough
economic times, every finan-
cial decision is critical, and
the choices for health care and
prescription drugs are particu-
larly important.
To help you make certain
the coverage you choose is
best suited for you, informa-
tion and assistance is avail-
able through many sources,
including the Medicare and
Medicaid Assistance Program
(MMAP) at the Detroit Area
Agency on Aging. To reach a
trained counselor, call 800-
803-7174. They will be work-
ing right up to the Dec. 31
deadline, but I hope you won’t
wait until the last minute to
review your health insurance
needs.
In October, Medicare bene-
ficiaries received their Annual
Notice of Change that noted
any upcoming changes to
their plans. A review of this
document is the first step in
a
making an informed decision
about remaining in your plan
or enrolling in a plan that may
better meet your needs.
Here are the ABCs — and magical
D — of choosing a plan.
The letters stand for the
four parts to Medicare:
Medicare Part A is hospi-
tal coverage and covers inpa-
tient hospital care, inpatient
set
New! Disney & Carol’s
Daughter present
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stays in most skilled nurs-
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Medicare Part B is medi- 8 oz. sizes of Sharing Means Caring Bubble
cal coverage for doctor and Bath, The Beauty Within Shampoo and Inner
clinical lab services, outpa-
Shine Conditioner, plus a loofah & travel case.
tient and preventive care,
screenings, surgical fees
and supplies, and physical
and occupational therapy.
Medicare Part C (also
called “Medigap” or supple-
mental policies) is coverage
for the 20 percent co-pays not
covered in Parts A and B.
Medicare Part D is pre-
scription drug coverage and
can be a stand-alone plan
or it can be combined with
a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Advantage plans
combine hospital insurance
(Part A) and medical insurance
(Part B) into one plan, and can
also be combined with Part D
prescription drug coverage.
When choosing Medicare Ad-
vantage coverage, here are
some things to consider:
Comparisons: Your
health, finances or coverage
may have changed since last
year. Compare your current
plan with other available cov-
erage options to see if there is
a better plan for you.
Kilpatrick
announces
Army
award
Congresswoman Carolyn
Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI-13)
recently announced that the
U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle
Management Command has
awarded General Dynamics
Land Systems a $203 million
contract to design the
Stryker of the future.
Work will be performed
in Sterling Heights, where
the Stryker was designed,
researched, developed and
constructed.
The award continues the
Stryker modernization
program, initially awarded
to General Dynamics in
2008. The modernization
program will significantly
increase the capabilities of
the Stryker fleet and assure
compatibility with the light
and heavy forces.
Yes Virginia! premiering on CBS-TV, Friday night, Dec 11 Don’t miss the season’s newest tradition To order, call 1-800-45-MACYS. Advertised items may not be at your local Macy’s.
Kilpatrick is a member of
— the animated classic feature based on the timeless true story that inspired a whole new spirit of For store locations and hours, log on to
macys.com
the House Appropriations
believing! Check your local listings.
Committee.
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